THE pay of all Cheshire West Council staff is to be reviewed in 12 to 18 months time, it has emerged.

The new council, due to take over from the county and district councils on April 1 next year, is expected to have a half-billion pound budget andiabout 15,000 staff.

The issue was raised at a scrutiny committee meeting which saw questions to Cheshire West leader Cllr Mike Jones (Con).

Cllr Jones revealed that a scheme would be put in place to support staff who accepted jobs at a lower level of pay and that a full pay review for the entire authority would take place in 12 to 18 months time.

Cllr Jones described the recruitment process as "vigorous" and said it was designed to ensure effective and appropriate appointments were made.